The Association of MMP7 Promoter Polymorphisms With Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

Few studies have examined the genetic role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to early detection or prediction in gastric cancer development. In this study, the contribution of MMP7 promoter (A-181G and C-153T) polymorphic genotypes to gastric cancer risk in Taiwanese was investigated for the first time.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 121 cases and 363 controls were enrolled and their MMP7 genotypes at A-181G and C-153T were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology using genomic DNA from serum.

RESULTS

The GG genotype at MMP7 A-181G was found to represent a risk factor for gastric cancer, especially among smokers. No individual with variant genotype carrier at MMP7 C-153T was found among this Taiwanese population.

CONCLUSION

The G allele of MMP7 A-181G may serve as an early predictor for gastric cancer risk in Taiwanese; other gastric cancer markers are still urgently needed.

Significant Contribution of DNA Repair Human 8-Oxoguanine DNA N-Glycosylase 1 Genotypes to Renal Cell Carcinoma

Introduction

DNA repair systems play essential roles in genomic stability and carcinogenesis. Therefore, genotypes at DNA repair loci may contribute to the determination of personal susceptibility to cancers. The contribution of human 8-oxoguanine DNA N-glycosylase 1 (hOGG1) genotypes to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the contributions of hOGG1 rs1052133 genotypes to the RCC risk.

Methods

We evaluated the contribution of hOGG1 rs1052133 (G/C) genotypes among 118 cases and 590 controls and analyzed the interactions of hOGG1 genotypes with smoking, alcohol drinking, hypertension, and diabetes status.

Results

The hOGG1 rs1052133 CC genotype was significantly associated with a decreased RCC risk compared with that of the GG genotype (odds ratio [OR] = 0.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.09–0.72, p = 0.0049). The frequency of the rs1052133 C allele was significantly low in the RCC group (22.5% vs 31.2%; OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.46–0.89, p = 0.0074). Stratifying the analysis according to smoking, alcohol drinking, and diabetes status revealed no difference in the rs1052133 genotype distribution among these subgroups. A significant differential distribution of rs1052133 genotypes was observed among subjects with hypertension.

Conclusion

The CC genotype of rs1052133 may play a role in determining RCC susceptibility among Taiwanese people and may serve as a biomarker of RCC, particularly in patients with hypertension.

Leukocyte telomere length is associated with aggressive prostate cancer in localized prostate cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Telomeres play important roles in cancer initiation and progression. The aim of this study is to investigate whether leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is associated with aggressive prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

We measured relative LTL in a cohort of 1,889 white PCa patients who were treated and followed up at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and assessed its associations with aggressive disease characteristics at diagnosis and biochemical recurrence (BCR) after active treatments (radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy). We further used a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to compute a weighted genetic risk score (GRS) predictive of LTL using 10 established LTL-associated genetic variants and determined whether this GRS is associated with aggressive PCa.

FINDINGS

LTL was significantly shorter in patients with higher Gleason scores at diagnosis. Dichotomized at the median value of LTL, patients with short LTL exhibited a 2.74-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.79-4.18, P = 3.11 × 10^-6) increased risk of presenting with GS≥8 disease than those with long LTL in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Moreover, shorter LTL was significantly associated with an increased risk of BCR (hazard ratio = 1.53, 95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.34) compared to longer LTL in localized patients receiving prostatectomy or radiotherapy with a significant dose-response association (P for trend = 0.017) in multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. In MR analysis, genetically predicted short LTL was also associated with an increased risk of BCR (HR=1.73, 95% CI, 1.08-2.78).

INTERPRETATION

Our results showed for the first time that LTL was shorter in PCa patients with high Gleason scores and that short LTL and genetically predicted short LTL are associated with worse prognosis in PCa patients receiving prostatectomy or radiotherapy.

FUNDING

Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) grant (RP140556), National Cancer Institute Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant (CA140388), and MD Anderson Cancer Center start-up fund.

Depression is associated with subsequent risk of pleural empyema

Background:

Respiratory system infections are prevalent in patients with depression. However, it remains unclear if patients with depression are at an increased risk of developing pleural empyema.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The depression group included 42,283 newly diagnosed patients between 2000 and 2012. The comparison group included the same number of individuals without depression, frequency matched for age, sex, comorbidities, and the year of diagnosis. The occurrence of pleural empyema was monitored until the end of 2013.

Results:

The overall incidence of pleural empyema was 1.32-fold higher in the depression group than in the comparison group (3.94 versus 2.97 per 10,000 person-years), with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.33 (95% confidence interval, 1.27−1.40). Stratified analyses by age, sex, and comorbidity revealed that the crude and adjusted hazard ratios of pleural empyema associated with depression were significant in all subgroups. The 30-day mortality for pleural empyema was higher, but not significantly, in the depression group compared to the comparison group (10.7% versus 6.4%, adjusted odds ratio = 2.23, 95% confidence interval, 0.77−6.49).

Conclusion:

An association between depression and the development of pleural empyema may exist; however, more evidence is required to support this association.

The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Association of Caspase-8 Genotypes With Oral Cancer Risk in Taiwan

BACKGROUND/AIM

Recently, mounting evidence has shown that caspase-8 (CASP8) rs3834129 (-652, 6N insertion/deletion) polymorphism may serve as a genetic biomarker for personal risk of various cancer types. The contribution of CASP8 rs3834129 polymorphism has been investigated in several oral cancer populations, but not in Taiwan. This study investigated the role of CASP8 rs3834129 polymorphism on oral risk in Taiwan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CASP8 rs3834129 polymorphic genotypes were determined and their associations with oral cancer risk were investigated among 788 patients with oral cancer and 956 age- and gender-matched healthy controls via polymerase chain reaction-restrictive fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methodology. In addition, the interaction of CASP8 rs3834129 genotype with personal behavior and clinicopathological features were also examined.

RESULTS

The frequencies of II, ID and DD genotypes for CASP8 rs3834129 were 57.5, 36.5 and 6.0% in the patient group and 54.0, 39.0 and 7.0% in the healthy control group, respectively (p for trend=0.3052), genotypes were not significantly differentially distributed between the two groups. The comparisons in allelic frequency distribution also supported the findings that the D variant allele may not serve as a determinant of risk for oral cancer. There was no interaction of CASP8 rs3834129 genotype with age, gender, smoking, alcohol or betel quid consumption in regard to oral cancer risk.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the caspase-8 genotype does not appear to play a direct role in personal susceptibility to oral cancer in Taiwan.

HOGG1 rs1052133 Genotypes and Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a Taiwanese Population

BACKGROUND/AIM

Cells suffer from oxidative DNA damage which leads to the accumulation of 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) adducts in our genome that can become carcinogenic. The human 8-oxoG DNA glycosylase 1 (hOGG1) plays a central role in repairing these 8-oxoGs via the base excision repair pathway. Mounting evidence has suggested that hOGG1 polymorphisms may affect the activity of hOGG1 and serve as genomic markers for the prediction of personal susceptibility to several cancers. To determine whether the commonly examined hOGG1 rs1052133 (Ser326Cys) polymorphism is associated with the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) among Taiwanese children, we genotyped the hOGG1 rs1052133 (Ser326Cys) in 266 cases and 266 controls.

RESULTS

The distributions of the GG, CG and CC genotypes at the hOGG1 rs1052133 were 49.2, 39.1 and 11.7% in the control group and 48.1, 36.1 and 15.8% in the case group (p=0.3656). The combined genotypes CG+CC were not associated with increased risk of childhood ALL (odds ratio [OR]=1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.74-1.47, p=0.7947).

CONCLUSION

The hOGG1 rs1052133 polymorphism is not associated with susceptibility to childhood ALL in the Taiwanese population.

Association of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 rs3918242 Promoter Genotypes With Colorectal Cancer Risk

BACKGROUND/AIM

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is responsible for modifying extracellular components and plays a crucial role in the metastatic behavior of cancer. This study aimed at examining the role of MMP-9 rs3918242 genotypes on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 362 CRC patients and 362 healthy subjects in Taiwan, were examined by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methodology.

RESULTS

The MMP-9 rs3918242 TT genotype carriers had a slightly increased risk of CRC compared to CC carriers (p=0.1642, OR=1.88, 95% CI=0.84-4.16). Patients of CT/TT genotypes were on significantly higher risk of metastasis (p=0.0027) than those of CC genotype. No obvious association was found between MMP-9 genotype and CRC risk among ever-smokers, non-smokers, non-alcohol drinkers or alcohol drinkers. No significant correlation was observed between MMP-9 genotypic distributions with age, gender, tumor size or location.

CONCLUSION

MMP-9 rs3918242 genotypes may interact with BMI to serve as a predictor for higher CRC risk, and independently as a predictor for metastasis.

Contribution of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Promoter Genotypes to Nasopharyngeal Cancer Susceptibility and Metastasis in Taiwan

BACKGROUND/AIM

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) is up-regulated in many cancers. However, the association of MMP2 genotype to nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) susceptibility in Taiwan remains elusive.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the role of MMP2 promoter C-1306T (rs243865) and C-735T (rs2285053) genotypes were investigated among 208 NPC patients and 416 healthy controls, and their role in NPC staging and TNM classifications were examined.

RESULTS

There was no differential distribution as for the genotypic or allelic frequencies at MMP2 promoter C-1306T or C-735T between the control and case groups. Noticeably, those with MMP2 C-1306T CT+TT genotypes had a lower metastatic risk than those with CC (p=0.0295). As for staging, T and N classifications, there was no differential distribution in C-1306T genotypes (p>0.05). Also, there was no differential distribution of C-735T genotypes according to different behavioral/clinicopathological characteristics.

CONCLUSION

CT and TT genotypes at MMP2 C-1306T were associated with a significantly decreased risk of NPC metastasis.

The association of matrix metalloproteinas-2 promoter polymorphisms with lung cancer susceptibility in Taiwan

Matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP2) has been reported to be overexpressed in various types of cancer. However, the contribution of various genotypes of MMP2 to lung cancer is controversial and not yet been examined in Taiwan. Therefore, in the current study, we investigated the association of MMP2 genotypes with lung cancer risk among Taiwanese. In this hospital-based, case-control study, 358 lung cancer patients and 716 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited, and the genotypic distributions of MMP2-1306 and MMP2- 735 were determined. Then, their association with lung cancer was evaluated, and their interaction with personal smoking status was also examined via stratification analysis. The results showed that the percentages of variant CT and TT at MMP2-1306 were 17.3% and 1.7% among the lung cancer patients, respectively, much lower than those of 28.7% and 2.4%, respectively, among the healthy controls (P for trend = 0.0001). The allelic frequency distribution analysis showed that the variant T allele at MMP2-1306 conferred a statistically significantly lower lung cancer risk than the wild-type C allele (adjusted odds ratio = 0.54, 95% confidence interval = 0.41-0.72, P = 0.0001). There was an obvious effect of MMP2-1306 genotype on lung cancer risk among the subpopulations of ever smokers but not nonsmokers. As for the genotypes of MMP2-735, there was no such differential distribution in the aspects of genotypic or allelic frequencies, or combinative effects with smoking status. The genotypes of MMP2-1306 may act as a biomarker in determining personal susceptibility to lung cancer in Taiwan. The contribution of MMP2 genotypes alone and its joint effects with personal cigarette smoking habit on lung cancer susceptibility should be taken into consideration of the clinical practices for early detection and prediction of lung cancer in Taiwan.

The Association of MMP-11 Promoter Polymorphisms With Susceptibility to Lung Cancer in Taiwan

BACKGROUND/AIM

Matrix metalloproteinases-11 (MMP-11) overexpression has been reported in various types of cancer including lung cancer. We aimed to examine the contribution of MMP-11 genotypes to lung cancer risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this case-control study, the MMP-11 rs738791, rs2267029, rs738792 and rs28382575 genotypes were determined among 358 lung cancer patients and 716 age- and gender-matched healthy control Taiwanese.

RESULTS

The percentages of rs738791 CT and TT were 50.6% and 9.2% in the case group, slightly higher than 48.5% and 8.1% in the control group (p for trend=0.5638). The allelic analysis showed that the rs738791 T allele did not confer lung cancer risk compared with the C allele. Similarly, there was no association between rs2267029, rs738792 or rs28382575 and lung cancer risk. There was no joint effect of MMP-11 genotypes among ever smokers or non-smokers.

CONCLUSION

The genotypes of MMP-11 play a minor role in determining lung cancer risk in Taiwan.

Methylation of global DNA repeat LINE-1 and subtelomeric DNA repeats D4Z4 in leukocytes is associated with biochemical recurrence in African American prostate cancer patients

Global DNA methylation may play important roles in cancer etiology and prognosis. The goal of this study is to investigate whether the methylation of long interspersed nucleotide elements (LINE-1) and subtelomeric DNA repeats D4Z4 in leukocyte DNA is associated with aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) in African Americans. We measured DNA methylation levels of LINE-1 and D4Z4 in 306 African American (AA) PCa patients using pyrosequencing and compared their methylation levels among clinical variables. We further applied multivariate Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier survival function and log-rank tests to assess the association between DNA methylation and biochemical recurrence (BCR). Overall, there was no significant difference of the methylation levels of LINE-1 and D4Z4 among patients with different clinical and epidemiological characteristics. However, the methylation of LINE-1 and D4Z4 was associated with BCR. Patients with lower LINE-1 methylation and higher D4Z4 methylation exhibited markedly increased risks of BCR with adjusted hazard ratios of 3.34 (95% confidence interval, 1.32-8.45) and 4.12 (95% confidence interval, 1.32-12.86), respectively, and significantly shorter BCR-free survival times. Our results suggest that lower global DNA methylation and higher subtelomeric region methylation may predict worse prognosis in localized AA PCa patients.

Contribution of programmed cell death 6 genetic variations, gender, and smoking status to lung cancer

PURPOSE

Programmed cell death 6 (PDCD6) is a calcium sensor participating in T-cell receptor-, Fas-, and glucocorticoid-induced programmed cell death. At the sites of lung tumors, the expression of PDCD6 is higher than that in non-tumor tissues. However, the contribution of variant PDCD6 genotypes to lung cancer is largely unknown. The current study aimed to evaluate the contributions of the PDCD6 rs4957014 and rs3756712 genotypes to the risk of lung cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The contributions of PDCD6 genotypes to lung cancer risk were examined among 358 patients with lung cancer and 716 age- and gender-matched healthy controls by typical polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methodology.

RESULTS

The results showed that the GG but not the GT genotype of PDCD6 rs4957014 was associated with a decreased risk of lung cancer (odds ratio (OR) =0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) =0.23-0.72, p=0.0013). The analysis of allelic frequency distributions showed that the G allele of PDCD6 rs4957014 decreased lung cancer susceptibility (p=0.0090). There was no association between PDCD6 rs3756712 genotypes and lung cancer risk. Interestingly, the GG genotype at PDCD6 rs4957014 significantly decreased the risk of lung cancer among males (adjusted OR =0.29, 95% CI =0.14-0.57) and smokers (adjusted OR =0.34, 95% CI =0.18-0.61) but not among females and non-smokers.

CONCLUSION

The GG genotype of PDCD6 rs4957014 may decrease lung cancer risk in males and smokers and may serve as a practical marker for early detection and the incidence of lung cancer in Taiwan.

Abstract 834: Epigenome-wide profiling of DNA methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes and the prognosis of prostate cancer patients in African Americans

Introduction: DNA methylation at CpG sites plays important roles in cancer development and progression. Hypermethylation of the promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes leads to gene silencing whereas global hypomethylation may affect chromosome structure and cause genomic instability. African Americans have higher incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer than other ethnic groups. The goals of this study are to investigate the role of global DNA methylation in prostate cancer aggressiveness and identify CpG site methylations as predictors of aggressive prostate cancer in African Americans.

Methods: We measured global DNA methylation level of long interspersed nucleotide elements (LINE-1) and subtelomeric repeat (D4Z4) in leukocyte DNA from ~300 African American prostate cancer patients and compared their methylation levels between different clinicopathological variables at diagnosis. We then analyzed the association of the LINE-1 and D4Z4 methylation with the risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. In addition, we used the Kaplan-Meier survival function and log-rank tests to assess BCR-free survival associated with D4Z4 methylation.. We also used Illumina’s HumanMethylationEPIC beadchip to profile 850K CpG site methylation in leukocytes and analzyed their associations with prostate cancer aggressiveness.

Results: There was no significant differences in the methylation level of LINE-1 between clinically defined aggressive and non-aggressive PCa at diagnosis and LINE-1 methylation was not associated with BCR either. However, the methylation of subtelomeric region D4Z4 was associated with BCR. Patients with higher methylation of D4Z4 exhibited an increased risk of BCR (HR=3.47, 95% CI, 1.10 - 10.97) compared to patients in the lower methylation after adjustment of age, BMI, smoking status, pack year, D’Amico risk groups, and treatments. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, patients with higher D4Z4 methylation level had a significantly shorter BCR-free survival time than those with lower methylation level (log rank P = 0.0071). When analyzing individua CpG site methylation, we identified a number of CpG site that can distinguish aggressive from non-aggressive prostate cancer and found a CpG methylation signature that can identify a subgroup of patients with aggressive prostate cancer in African Americans.

Conclusions: These data suggest that methylation in the subtelomeric region D4Z4 may be able to predict worse prognosis of patients. Individual CpG site methylation may be promising biomarkers for the identification of aggressive prostate cancer in African Americans.

Citation Format: Junfeng Xu, Chia-Wen Tsai, Wen-Shin Chang, Da-Tian Bau, Jian Gu. Epigenome-wide profiling of DNA methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes and the prognosis of prostate cancer patients in African Americans [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 834.

Contribution of Caspase-8 Genotypes to Colorectal Cancer Risk in Taiwan

BACKGROUND/AIM

The aim of this study was to examine the role of caspase-8 rs3834129 polymorphism on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in Taiwanese CRC patients and healthy controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The caspase-8 rs3834129 (-652 6N insertion/deletion) polymorphic genotypes were analyzed in 362 patients with CRC and the same number of age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. The interaction of caspase-8 rs3834129 genotypes with personal behaviors and clinicopathological features were also examined.

RESULTS

The percentage of variants ID and DD for caspase-8 rs3834129 genotype were 37.6 and 5.8% in CRC group and 39.0 and 6.6% in the control group, respectively (p for trend=0.7987). The allelic frequency distribution analysis showed that caspase-8 rs3834129 D allele conferred a non-significant lower susceptibility for CRC compared with I allele (OR=0.92, 95%CI=0.74-1.20, p=0.5063). There was no obvious link between caspase-8 rs3834129 genotype and CRC risk among ever-smokers, non-smokers, non-alcohol drinkers or alcohol drinkers. No statistically significant correlation was observed between caspase-8 rs3834129 genotypic distribution and age, gender, tumor size, location or metastasis status.

CONCLUSION

Overall, caspase-8 rs3834129 genotypes may not serve as predictors for CRC risk or prognosis.

Contribution of Inflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-18 Genotypes to Renal Cell Carcinoma

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a multi-functional immuno-mediator in the development and progression of many types of infectious and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we evaluated the contribution of IL-18 genotypes to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Taiwan via the genotyping of IL-18 -656 (A/C), -607 (A/C), and -137 (G/C). Moreover, we analyzed their interactions with smoking, alcohol drinking, hypertension, and diabetes status. The results showed an association of the AC and CC genotypes of IL-18 -607 with a significant decrease in the risk of RCC compared with the AA genotype (odds ratio (OR) = 0.44 and 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.27⁻0.72 and 0.18⁻0.66, p = 0.0008 and 0.0010, respectively). Furthermore, a significantly lower frequency of the C allele at -607 was observed in the RCC group (35.3% vs. 49.8%; OR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.35⁻0.71, p = 0.0003). However, IL-18 -656 and -137 did not exhibit a likewise differential distribution of these genotypes between the control and case groups. Stratifying the population according to smoking, alcohol drinking, hypertension, and diabetes status revealed a different distribution of IL-18 -607 genotypes among non-smokers, non-drinkers, and patients without diabetes, but not among smokers, drinkers, or patients with diabetes. These findings suggest that IL-18 -607 genotypes may play a role in the etiology and progression of RCC in Taiwan and may serve as a useful biomarker for early detection.

Association of Matrix Metallopeptidase-2 Promoter Polymorphisms With the Risk of Childhood Leukemia

BACKGROUND/AIM

The association of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) genotypes with adult leukemia has been reported only once, but never for childhood leukemia. This study aimed to determine the role of MMP-2 promoter -1306 (rs243865) and -735 (rs2285053) genotypes in childhood leukemia risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This case-control study included 266 patients and 266 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The polymorphic sites of MMP-2 were genotyped by typical polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS

The CC, CT and TT of rs243865 genotype were 75.2, 23.7 and 1.1% in the case group and 69.2, 28.9 and 1.9% in the control group, respectively. The CT and TT genotypes caused a 0.75- and 0.55-fold increase in the risk of childhood leukemia, respectively. There was no differential distribution of rs2285053 genotypes. Allelic frequency analysis showed that the T allele of MMP-2 promoter -1306 and -735 conferred lower susceptibility than the C allele.

CONCLUSION

The MMP-2 promoter genotypes play a minor role in determining personal susceptibility to childhood leukemia among the Taiwanese.

Association of Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 Genotypes with the Risk of Bladder Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

The breakage of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been reported to be one of the mechanisms required for tumor invasion, and the expression of MMP-7 in serum is correlated with poor prognosis of urinary bladder cancer patients. However, the role of the MMP-7 genotypes has been seldom examined among bladder cancer patients. Therefore, this study aimed at examining the promoter polymorphic MMP-7 genotypes A-181G and C-153T among Taiwanese bladder cancer patients and evaluate the contribution of the genotypic variants of MMP-7 to bladder cancer risk in Taiwan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three hundred and seventy-five bladder cancer patients and the same number of gender- and age-matched healthy controls were genotyped for A-181G and C-153T in the promoter of MMP-7 via polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology.

RESULTS

The frequencies of AA, AG and GG at A-181G of the promoter of MMP-7 were 89.1, 8.8 and 2.1% in the bladder cancer patient group and 87.5, 10.9 and 1.6% in the matched healthy control group, respectively (p for trend=0.5475). There was no polymorphic genotype for MMP-7 C-153T among the Taiwanese population. The comparisons in allelic frequency distribution also support the findings that the G allele may not be the determinant allele for bladder cancer in Taiwan. In addition, the results showed that there is no significant association of the bladder risk with the MMP-7 A-181G genotype, even after adjustment for the possible confounding factors. Furthermore, there is no interaction of the genotypes of MMP-7 with age, gender, smoking and alcohol consumption on bladder cancer risk.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that the two MMP-7 polymorphisms, - A-181G and C-153T, do not play a major role in determining personal susceptibility to bladder cancer in Taiwan.

Contribution of MMP2 Promoter Genotypes to Oral Cancer Susceptibility, Recurrence and Metastasis in Taiwan

AIM

Metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) is a multi-functional protein which has been shown to be up-regulated in patients with oral cancer, especially those with lymph node metastasis. However, the association of MMP2 genotype with oral cancer risk or metastatic behavior is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the role of MMP2 promoter 1306 and -735 genotypes in the risk of oral cancer and metastasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this case-control study, MMP2 promoter 1306 (rs243865) and -735 (rs2285053) genotypes and their interaction with consumption of areca, cigarettes, and alcohol in determining oral cancer risk were investigated among 788 patients with oral cancer and 956 gender-matched healthy controls. In addition, their role in oral cancer metastasis were also examined.

RESULTS

The distribution of CC, CT and TT for MMP2 promoter 1306 genotype was 79.0, 20.1 and 0.9% in the oral cancer group and 68.7, 29.2 and 2.1% in the non-cancer control group, respectively (p for trend=4.3E-6). The allelic frequency distributions showed that the variant T allele of MMP2 promoter 1306 conferred lower oral cancer susceptibility than the wild-type C allele (odds ratio=0.61, 95% confidence interval=0.50-0.75, p=1.1E-6). As for the MMP2 -735 genotypes, there was no differential distribution in genotypic or allelic frequencies. The variant CT and TT genotypes were also associated with lower metastasis rates within 5 years among the patients with oral cancer (odds ratio=0.34, 95% confidence interval=0.15-0.80, p=0.0102).

CONCLUSION

The CT and TT genotypes of MMP2 promoter 1306 may have a protective effect on oral cancer susceptibility and metastasis risk within 5 years for Taiwanese. They may serve as predictive markers for oral cancer in precise medical practice.

Novel Combination of Arsenic Trioxide (As2O3) Plus Resveratrol in Inducing Programmed Cell Death of Human Neuroblastoma SK-N-SH Cells

AIM

Arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃), known as pi-shuang and the most toxic compound in traditional Chinese medicine, has been used as an antitumor agent for thousands of years. Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a natural phenol that has significant anti-bacterial, anti-fungaI and antiaging activities. Our study aimed to examine the combined anticancer effects of As₂O₃ and resveratrol against human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells, and elucidate the underlying intracellular signaling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SK-N-SH cells were treated with an extremely low-dose (2-4 μM) of As₂O₃ alone or combined with 75 μg/ml resveratrol for further comparisons. Cell viability, apoptotic signaling as well as synergistic cytotoxic effects were estimated using the MTT assay, microscopy observation, flow cytometric analysis for loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and typical quantitative western blotting analysis. Student's t-test, and one- and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for examination of significant differences.

RESULTS

The combined treatment was more effective than single treatment of As₂O₃ or resveratrol alone in suppressing cell viability, which correlated with the elevation of ROS levels. The intracellular mechanisms of cytotoxicity of As₂O₃ plus resveratrol were revealed as ROS accumulation and relative decrease of MMP, leading to activation of caspase-3 and -9, but not of caspase-1, -7 and-8. Combination treatment reduced the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2), BH3 interacting domain death agonist (BID), and BCL-x/L.

CONCLUSION

Combined treatment at extremely low concentration of two agents from natural products, As₂O₃ and resveratrol, has high potential as a cocktail of anticancer drugs for neuroblastoma.

Association of Polymorphisms in DNA Repair Gene XRCC3 with Asthma in Taiwan

AIM

Accumulating evidence suggests that DNA damage and repair play a role in asthma etiology, however, little is known about the contribution of genotypes of DNA repair genes to asthma susceptibility. This study aimed to examine the contribution of genotypes of DNA double-strand break repair gene X-ray repair cross complementing protein 3 (XRCC3) and its polymorphisms to asthma risk in the Taiwanese.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Associations of seven XRCC3 genotypes, namely rs1799794, rs45603942, rs861530, rs3212057, rs1799796, rs861539 and rs28903081, with the risk of asthma were investigated among 198 patients with asthma and 453 non-asthma controls by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping methodology.

RESULTS

Unlike Caucasian populations, no polymorphic genotypes at XRCC3 rs3212057 or rs28903081 were found among the Taiwanese. For the genotypes of XRCC3 rs1799794, rs45603942, rs861530, rs1799796 and rs861539, the percentages of hetero-and homo-variant genotypes were not differentially represented between the asthma patient and the non-asthma control groups. In addition, there was no differential distribution of allelic frequencies for these XRCC3 polymorphic sites between the two groups. No interaction of these genotypes with gender or age were found.

CONCLUSION

Although XRCC3 plays a role in asthma etiology, the variant XRCC3 genotypes do not serve as practicable predictive markers for asthma risk in Taiwanese.

Contribution of Murine Double Minute 2 Genotypes to Colorectal Cancer Risk in Taiwan

BACKGROUND/AIM

The genomic role of human mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is unclear, therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the contribution of MDM2 genotype to the risk of CRC in Taiwan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this case-control study, MDM2 SNP309 T to G (rs2279744) genotypes were determined and their association with CRC risk were investigated among 362 patients with CRC and 362 age- and gender-matched healthy controls in central Taiwan. In addition, the interaction of MDM2 SNP309 genotypes with personal behaviors and clinicopathological features were also examined.

RESULTS

The percentage of variant GG for the MDM2 SNP309 genotype was 30.9% in the CRC group and 24.0% in the control group, respectively (odds ratio (OR)=1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.25-2.86, p=0.0057). The allelic frequency distribution analysis showed that the variant G allele of MDM2 SNP309 conferred a significantly increased susceptibility to CRC compared with the wild-type T allele (OR=1.32, 95% CI=1.14-1.69, p=0.0062). As for the gene-lifestyle interaction, there was an obvious joint effect of MDM2 SNP309 GG genotype on the risk of CRC among ever-smokers and non-alcohol drinkers, but not non-smoker or alcohol drinker subgroups. No statistically significant correlation was observed between MDM2 SNP309 genotypic distributions and age, gender, tumor size, location or metastasis status.

CONCLUSION

The genotypes of MDM2 SNP309 may allow forr early detection of and predictor for CRC risk, especially among smokers and non-alcohol drinkers, but not for prognosis. The combined effects of MDM2 SNP309 and other genes (such as matrix metalloproteinases) on CRC susceptibility and prognosis, should also be taken into consideration in the era of precision medicine.

The contribution of XRCC3 genotypes to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Purpose

A growing body of evidence shows an association between DNA repair protein genotypes and susceptibility to various cancers. However, few studies have assessed the contribution of the genotype of XRCC3, a homologous repair gene, to the occurrence or prognosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In this study, we investigated the contribution of seven XRCC3 polymorphisms to childhood ALL.

Patients and methods

We recruited 266 patients with childhood ALL and 266 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples. The XRCC3 rs1799794, rs45603942, rs1799796, rs861530, rs28903081, rs861539, and rs3212057 polymorphic genotypes of each subject were determined through conventional polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

Results

Genotypes with the rs861539 polymorphism were significantly associated with the risk of childhood ALL. The allelic distribution analyses suggested a significant association between the T allele at rs861539 with an increased risk of childhood ALL in the Taiwanese population. Polymorphic variants of XRCC3 at rs3212057 or rs28903081 did not exist in the study population. XRCC3 rs1799794, rs45603942, rs1799796, and rs861530 were not significantly associated with the risk of childhood ALL in the Taiwanese population.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that XRCC3 genotypes with polymorphisms at rs861539 may play a role in determining individual susceptibility to childhood ALL in this Taiwanese population. The polymorphism may be a potential detector and predictor of childhood ALL.

The Contribution of Interleukin-12 Genetic Variations to Taiwanese Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death and a better marker for advanced personalized therapeutic approaches, such as immunotherapies, is in urgent need. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a cytokine that has been reported to exhibit potent tumoricidal effects, however, the contribution of IL-12 genotypes to lung cancer is still largely unrevealed. The aim of this study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-12A and IL-12B are associated with lung cancer in a Taiwanese population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Genotypes of 358 lung cancer patients and 716 controls were determined by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

RESULTS

The distributions of genotypic (p=0.0036) and allelic (p=0.0005) frequencies of IL-12A rs568408 demonstrated significant differences between cases and controls. In detail, the AA genotype of IL-12A rs568408 was associated with a significantly elevated risk of lung cancer compared with the GG genotype (odds ratio(OR)=2.41, 95% confidence interval(CI)=1.36-4.29, p=0.0021). No difference was observed regarding IL-12A rs2243115 and IL-12B rs3212227 genotypes between the case and control groups. In addition, the results of interaction analysis showed that the AA genotype of IL-12A rs568408 was associated with elevated lung cancer risk, especially among those with smoking habits (p=0.0043).

CONCLUSION

IL-12A rs568404 AA genotype may contribute to the etiology and serve as a genomic determinant of lung cancer in Taiwanese, especially smokers.

Interleukin-18 promoter genotype is associated with the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Taiwan

Background

The incidence rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been documented to be high in Southeast Asia. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a multifunctional cytokine that augments interferon-γ production and acts as an important immunomediator in the development of several types of cancer.

Patients and methods

This case-control study evaluated the role of IL-18 in NPC at the DNA level by genotyping its promoter polymorphisms at positions -656, -607, and -137 in a Taiwanese population. A total of 176 patients with NPC and age- and gender-matched 352 noncancer controls were included in this study.

Results

The CC genotype of the IL-18-607 polymorphism was found to be associated with significantly decreased risks of NPC compared to the AA genotype (crude OR =0.50, 95% CI =0.29-0.84, P=0.0093). This significant difference persisted even in the dominant and recessive models. A significantly lower C allele frequency at position -607 was detected in the NPC group(41.8% vs 50.3%; OR =0.77; 95% CI =0.63-1.04, P=0.0089). Regarding IL-18-656 and -137 polymorphisms, there were no differential distributions of their genotypes between the NPC and control groups. After substratification of the subjects according to their smoking, alcohol consumption, and areca chewing status, the genotype distribution of the IL-18-607 polymorphism was found to be different only among nonsmokers between the NPC and control subgroups.

Conclusion

This study suggests that IL-18 plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of NPC in Taiwan and that the genotype-phenotype correlation of IL-18-607 polymorphism and its contribution to NPC need to be investigated further.